Facilitating market development across the EFTA

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, is a regional organisation established to facilitate free trade, economic integration, and sustainable growth among its members, as well as with international trading partners. Through streamlined trade policies, tariff reductions, and comprehensive bilateral and multilateral agreements, EFTA strengthens market access and enhances economic cooperation across a diverse range of sectors, including goods, services, investments, and innovation-driven industries. The organisation plays an important role in securing the supply chains of critical minerals and strategic raw materials, which are vital for renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and defence applications. Closely integrated with the European Union through frameworks such as the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement—yet maintaining autonomy and flexibility—EFTA supports its members' competitiveness, innovation capacity, and resilience in an evolving global economic landscape. By promoting transparent regulatory standards, removing trade barriers, and encouraging sustainable business practices, EFTA actively contributes to resource security, sustainable economic development, and enhanced prosperity throughout Europe and beyond.